Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved dental impression tray and related methods. In one embodiment, a dental impression tray includes a first portion for receiving impression material from a source and a second portion is configured for receiving a patient's upper or lower teeth and will at least partial define a cavity shaped to receive the teeth during use. In use, impression material introduced into the first portion can pass through openings and into the second portion and around a patient's teeth.

Abstract: Orthodontic brackets include a bracket base, at least one arch wire slot formed in the base adapted to receive an arch wire therein, and a moveable structure for selectively narrowing the width of at least a portion of the arch wire slot so as to allow for engagement of an undersized arch wire having a width less than the slot width. The moveable structure for selectively narrowing the width of the arch wire slot may be defined by one or more spaced apart cuts disposed in at least one side wall defining the arch wire slot so as to define a bendable portion of the sidewall.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket housing having at least two opposing sides, a rear side which is a tooth engaging side and a front side. The front side includes a cavity for receiving at least one wire. A cover plate pivotally attaches to an extension located on the front side of the bracket housing and is designed to be moveable from an open to a closed position to secure and hold the wire within the cavity.

Abstract: An orthodontic bracket system is provided having a base plate with a rear side and a front side. The rear side is designed to engage a patient's tooth. The front side includes a channel for receiving an archwire, a cover plate for closing the opening of the channel and securing the archwire within the channel, and a locking device designed to engage the cover plate during a closed position.

Abstract: An instrument is provided, having a handle and at least one working end. In a first embodiment, the working end has a first leg and a second leg, the second leg for disengaging a spring clip. In a second embodiment, the working end has a first leg and a second leg for grasping a connector plate of an orthodontic bracket, and a depth limiter attached to the first leg for preventing inadvertent grasping of an orthodontic bracket base plate.

Abstract: Kits and methods facilitate chair-side coating of an endodontic cone for improved sealing between the hydrophilic root canal tissue, the hydrophobic elastomer substrate of the endodontic cone, and a hydrophilic sealing resin. The kit includes one or more endodontic cones (e.g., formed of gutta percha) and a micro-dose container containing an adhesive composition. The practitioner can dip the cones into the adhesive composition so as to coat the cones chair-side, just prior to use. The adhesive composition includes an adhesive resin compound comprising at least one hydrophobic region and at least one hydrophilic region. The hydrophobic region is compatible with the hydrophobic elastomer substrate of the endodontic cone, while the hydrophilic region is compatible with a hydrophilic endodontic sealing resin.

Abstract: A prophy device incorporating a shaft and one or more corrugated members which eliminate the need for plastic gears of the prior art is disclosed. The corrugated members effectively transfer rotational energy from a shaft to an applicator. In another version, a flexible paste chamber contains polish within a housing of the device. A difference between a rotational speed at a front of the paste chamber and rear of the paste chamber causes the flexible chamber to contract on itself thereby automatically forcing polish from the chamber and into a polish applicator. A user dictates the amount of polish dispensed by controlling the rotational speed at the front of the paste chamber by pressing the polish applicator against the teeth of a patient. As the speed differential increases, the amount of polish dispensed increases as well.

Abstract: An inter dental device which is a tooth cleaner and gum massager which cleans the area between anterior and posterior teeth, comprising a handle and a stem and flanges and a tip which is grooved or twisted in a spiral pattern, and the flanges extending from a central stem are arranged in a spiral pattern which is continuous with the spiral pattern of the grooves of the tip. This device also may serve as a delivery device which holds and delivers substances to the area between teeth, and does not remove said substances as the device is withdrawn.

Abstract: A dental implant is provided for supporting a dental prosthesis. The implant can comprise a body having an outer surface, a distal end, and a proximal end. The dental implant can include at least one thread located on at least a portion of the outer surface of the body. The thread can include a proximal flank and a distal flank. The thread can also include a face that extends between the proximal flank and the distal flank. Further, the dental implant can include a first helical groove formed on the face and/or a second helical groove formed on the body.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for anchoring orthodontic appliances or the like in the mouth wherein anchor screws of different constructions are installed in the bone in different areas of the mouth to insure adequate bone contact and retention. Each of the anchor screws has a threaded portion and a washer portion at the outer end of the threaded portion which is of sufficient width to engage the adjacent exterior bone surface when the threaded portion is installed in the bone to provide lateral support for the threaded portion. In some cases, the threaded portion is provided with threads of different sizes and the washer portion is provided with an exterior thread for cutting through gum tissue to enable the washer portion to engage the underlying adjacent exterior bone surface when the threaded portion is installed in the bone. Each anchor screw is provided with a lateral bore at the outer end thereof for receiving a ligature or the like therethrough to prevent the anchor screw from falling in the mouth.

Abstract: A self-ligating bracket for use in orthodontics includes a bracket also closeable by a slide which is undetachably held in both a closed position and in an open position. The slide is easy to open and to close, which gives the bracket an acceptably attractive appearance and which provides little risk of food residues getting trapped that are difficult to remove.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance for distalizing opposed molars (2, 3) of the upper jaw of a patient, in which the device (4) has a bracing plate (5), which in its intended use rests on the palate of the patient, and which can be secured, via wire elements (6-9) disposed on the bracing plate (5), to opposed teeth (10-13) that are located anteriorly of the molars (2, 3) to be distalized. The appliance (4), with which the molars (2, 3) to be distalized can be moved individually backward as needed, includes a one-piece bracing plate (5), on the posterior end (14) of which two force modules (15, 16), spaced laterally apart from one another and adjustable independently of one another, are connected to the bracing plate, each being connectable via a respective elastic spring arm (17, 18) to one of the molars (2, 3) to be distalized.

Abstract: Novel prosthetic teeth constructed using moldable, micro-filled composite resin, and a novel method for making and bonding the same onto implants in a patient's mouth. The teeth are prepared and seated in the patient's mouth using materials and methods that are known and widely available. The present invention may be applied to any situation in which one or more replacement teeth are required, including full-arch replacement for upper and/or lower teeth.

Abstract: An adjustable orthodontic apparatus formed by at least one base plate having opposing sides, the first side being a tooth engaging side and the second side having a plurality of columns of protrusions and channels created by the columns of protrusions and at least one connecting plate having opposing sides, the first side having a plurality of columns of protrusions and channels created by the columns of protrusions and a front side having a cavity for receiving a wire. The protrusions are designed to travel within the channels during an adjustment stage. A securing device locks the connecting plate to a desired position on the base plate.

Abstract: A sequence of canal instruments for performing an endodontic operating protocol uses a sequence of several instruments, for example, three such instruments with three cutting blades. The instruments have a progressive conicity, for example, 6%, 4% and 2%, and each instrument has an identical progressive pitch. The pitch further increases progressively from instrument to instrument as a function of the conicity of each instrument.

Abstract: An adjustable orthodontic apparatus formed by at least one base plate having opposing sides, the first side being a tooth engaging side and the second side having a plurality of columns of protrusions and channels created by the columns of protrusions and at least one connecting plate having opposing sides, the first side having a plurality of columns of protrusions and channels created by the columns of protrusions. The protrusions are designed to travel within the channels during an adjustment stage. A securing device locks the connecting plate to a desired position on the base plate.

Abstract: Apparatus for dental treatment includes a base, a treatment unit, and a connecting piece. The treatment unit has one or more treatment instruments and one or more lines for the supply of water, air and electricity. The connecting piece is placed in between the base and the treatment unit. The treatment unit can be disconnected from and connected to the base by using the connecting piece.

Abstract: Indirect bonding trays for orthodontic treatment are made from a model of the patient's dental arch that is manufactured using digital data and rapid prototyping processes. The model includes one or more guides for orienting an orthodontic appliance in a desired position on a model tooth of the dental arch model. A holder is connected to the archwire slot of the appliance and is brought into contact with the guide in order to move the appliance to its intended position for subsequent manufacture of the indirect bonding tray.

Abstract: An improved transpalatal arch wire assembly comprising a transpalatal arch wire, wherein the transpalatal arch wire comprises a first vertically sloping component, a second vertically sloping component, and a intermediate adjustment section disposed between the first and second vertically sloping components; and a first auxiliary wire coupled to the transpalatal arch wire, wherein the first auxiliary wire is substantially rigid and defines a first attachment arm approximate to an end of the first auxiliary wire, wherein the first attachment arm is suitable for receiving an orthodontic force module.

Abstract: The present invention is an oral irrigator comprising a pump, a discharge nozzle and a pressure control. The pump has a generally constant operating speed and feeds the discharge nozzle. The pressure control is adapted to modify a discharge pressure at the nozzle without a significant change in pump speed. The pressure control modifies a level of fluid flow restriction between the pump and the nozzle. The modification of the level of fluid flow restriction is accomplished by modifying aspects of a fluid flow path extending through the pressure control. The aspects modified include the diameter, length and/or number of direction changes of the fluid flow path.